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-Scheduling a Breast Cancer Screening Can Help Save Your Life - Archived

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Barbara Mackovic, Senior Manager, Media Relations
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Scheduling a Breast Cancer Screening Can Help Save Your Life


Louisville, Ky. (September 18, 2017) – Breast Cancer Awareness Month will soon be upon us during the month of October. This is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the disease, which affects about 1 in 8 women in the United States over the course of their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches, Jewish Hospital and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, both part of KentuckyOne Health, are encouraging women to learn more about screenings and early detection.

While breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, statistics show many women are beating the disease. Breast cancer death rates have decreased nearly forty percent, since 1990, according to the American College of Radiology, as a result of screenings and better treatment.

“Early detection is key to saving lives,” said Brian Mattingly, MD, breast radiologist at Medical Center Jewish East and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. “While breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, some women may not experience any symptoms, which is why regular breast cancer screenings are important, to help catch cancer in the early stages.”

The American College of Radiology recommends women begin annual /library/landing/mammography-scheduling screenings starting at age 40 – even if they have no symptoms or family history of breast cancer. For women with a personal or family history of breast cancer, including the BRCA genetic mutation, the risk is elevated and earlier screenings may be recommended.

“Common risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman over the age of 60, having a family history of the disease or inherited gene mutations, obesity, not having children, high breast density, benign breast conditions, women who start menstruation at an early age, heavy drinking, lack of physical activity, using oral contraceptives, or using combined hormone therapy after menopause,” said Dr. Mattingly. “It’s important to talk to a physician about a screening if you are at risk for the disease.”

There are two screening options that may be recommended for breast cancer, including digital mammography and tomosynthesis. Traditional 2D digital mammography can be manipulated by the radiologist to get a better view of shadows, light and contrast. This can help identify whether a spot is a mass that needs to be investigated further, or simply an area of dense breast tissue.

Tomosynthesis, more commonly known as 3D mammography, was approved by the FDA in 2011 and has become another valuable tool in breast cancer detection. Tomosynthesis creates multiple slices of the breast tissue, giving reviewing physicians a clear vision of a mass that may be clouded by complex, overlapping breast tissue. This tool is especially useful for women with moderate to extremely dense breast tissue.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches, make the time to schedule a /library/landing/mammography-scheduling if you are over age 40 or have risk factors for breast cancer. Getting a screening can help detect cancer early-on, and give you peace of mind.

To find your nearest /library/landing/mammography-scheduling screening location, visit www.kentuckyonehealth.org//library/landing/mammography-scheduling, or call 502.587.4327.

About Jewish Hospital
Jewish Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, is an internationally renowned, high-tech tertiary referral center, developing leading-edge advancements in hand and microsurgery, heart and lung care, orthopedics and sports medicine, neuroscience, organ transplantation and outpatient care. The hospital is the site of the world’s first successful hand transplant and AbioCor® implantable replacement heart procedures, in addition to the first trial of cardiac stem cells in chronic heart failure. Jewish Hospital continues to be recognized for its specialized heart care procedures, including the implant of ventricular assist devices (VAD) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The Jewish Hospital Trager Transplant Center is in a select group that performs heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation and was part of the first international paired kidney exchange program. Services are also provided throughout the community at multiple freestanding outpatient care centers.

About Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, is a 298-bed, full-service hospital, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 1874. The hospital offers a full range of vascular, orthopedic, cardiac, neurological, surgical, rehabilitative and emergency services. Sts. Mary & Elizabeth is also home to Bariatric Care, the region’s only weight-loss management program utilizing the Lap-Band® System. In addition, the hospital provides the Orbera Gastric Balloon procedure. The hospital has been recognized as one of the first health care facilities in the nation to receive a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Bariatric Surgery. The hospital also includes a Women’s Center dedicated to women’s breast and bone health.

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth, includes hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.

 
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Publish date: 

Monday, September 18, 2017